HPAS Notes: Fairs and Festivals of Himachal

Bhunda, Shant, and Bhoj

• Frequency: These festivals are celebrated like the ‘Kumbha Mela’ after every twelve years (or when sufficient funds are saved).
• Deity Connection:
  • Bhunda: Primarily connected with ‘Parshuram’.
  • Alternate View: Some connect it with the cult of ‘Kali the goddess’.
• Region: Celebrated in upper Shimla Hills, Kullu, and Mandi.
• Rituals:
  • Sacrifices are made to please the God or village deity.
  • The main deity invites neighbouring household gods and goddesses.
  • All participants are fed from the temple treasure house.
  • Celebrations involve singing and dancing day and night for three to four days.

The Halda Festival

• Region: Celebrated especially by the people of the Chandra and Bhaga Valley in Lahaul and Spiti district.
• Timing: Held in December–January.
• Nature: It is like a Diwali festival (festival of light) for the locals.
• Distinctive Ritual:
  • Unlike Diwali, no lamps or candles are lighted.
  • Instead, 2-3 persons from every household carry burning sticks of pencil/thin cedar.
  • These sticks are piled together to make a bonfire.
  • Later, the burning sticks are ceremoniously thrown towards the villages of Gushal and Kardang.

HPAS Notes: Fairs and Festivals of Himachal

Nawala Festival

Community and Region

• Community: Celebrated primarily by the Gaddis.
• Regions: Observed in the districts of Kangra, Chamba, Mandi, and Kullu.

Timing and Occasion

• Household Festival: It is not necessarily a fixed calendar event but is celebrated when an individual household has collected enough money for the celebration.

Rituals

• Special arrangements are made to perform ‘pooja’ (worship).
• Devotional songs in praise of Lord Shiva are sung throughout the night.

HPAS Notes: Shivratri & The International Mandi Fair

Significance & General Observance

• Context: Himachal Pradesh is known as ‘Dev Bhumi’ and is home to ‘Mount Kailash’ (Abode of God). The Western Himalayas are heavily influenced by the mythology of Lord Shiva.
• Timing: Celebrated in the month of February.
• Rituals:
  • Images of Lord Shiva and Parvati are crafted from cow dung or earth soil for worship.
  • Protection against Evil: Bushes called ‘Paja’ and ‘Karangora’ are fixed on the upper door frames of houses to keep evil spirits and witches at bay.

The International Mandi Shivratri Fair

• Rank: In the Western Himalayas, the Shivratri of Mandi ranks above all others.
• Status: Originally a state fair, it was elevated to International Status by former Chief Minister Mr. Virbhadra Singh.
• Venue: The celebrations center around the sprawling Paddal Ground.
• Core Concept: It serves as an annual assembly where over 100 hill gods (Devtas) converge to pay homage to the paramount deity, Lord Shiva.

Key Events & Procession

• Shobha Yatra: A grand procession is led by the chariot of Madho Rai to the Paddal Ground. It involves the elite of the town, police contingents, and a galaxy of hill deities.
• God Kamru Nag: As a tradition, God Kamru Nag arrives on the eve of Shivratri and is accorded a special reception at the shrine of Madho Rai.
• Musical Heritage: The hills resound with the “melodious din” of the hill orchestra, featuring instruments like Karnals, Dhols, and Nagaras.

Historical Architecture & Origins

• Founding of Mandi: The festival’s origin is linked to the founding of the present Mandi town by Raja Ajber Sen in 1526 (shifted from ‘Purani Mandi’ on the right bank of the Beas).
• Bhutnath Temple: The popular shrine of Bhutnath was installed by King Ajber Sen at the town’s foundation.
• Architectural Style: Mandi is famous for its Shikhara style temples, considered the finest monuments of ancient art. Notable examples include:
  • Trilokinath
  • Panchvaktra
  • Ardhnareeshwar

Conclusion of the Fair

• The festival concludes with a ‘Jagrata’ (overnight vigil) where gods and devotees participate together.
• Offerings: Before departing Mandi, the gods are offered sheets of silken cloth (Chadars), fruits, and incense.
• State Patronage: The state government provides a fixed ‘nazrana’ (honorarium) to each local god, determined by their status.

HPAS Notes: Festivals of Himachal Pradesh

Chet (Dholru) Festival

Timing & Significance

• Timing: Chet is the first month of the lunar year. The first day of the month holds special importance.
• Belief: The day is celebrated with a belief to bring happiness and prosperity.
• Regions: The first day of Chet holds specific importance in Kangra, Hamirpur, and Bilaspur districts.

Cultural Tradition

• In many parts of the state, specific communities go from village to village singing and dancing.
• Castes Involved: The traditional performers belong to the ‘Dhaki’, ‘Turi’, or ‘Shehnai’ castes.

HPAS Notes: Festivals of Himachal Pradesh

Navratras

• Observance: Celebrated with great interest by both town people of old Himachal and the new Himachal areas.
• Frequency: Observed twice a year.
• Key Event: ‘Durga Ashtami’ is of greatest importance all over the state.
• Rituals: People visit the nearest Durga temple to offer prayers. All Shaktipeeths are visited by people during this period.

Baishakhi Festival

Timing and Preparation

• Date: Generally celebrated on the 13th of April.
• Preparation: Starts much earlier; houses are typically white-washed for the occasion.
• Celebration: Fairs are held at many places with traditional gaiety. The large participation of women adds special colour to the festive mood.

The Holy Dip (Snan)

A key ritual is taking a holy bath. Major locations for this include:

• Tattapani: Near Shimla.
• Banganga: In Kangra Valley.
• Markanda: In Bilaspur.
• Haridwar: Near Har-Ki-Pauri (for those who travel out of state).
• Local: Those who cannot travel take a bath early in the morning at a nearby well, rivulet, or ghat.

HPAS Notes: Festivals of Himachal Pradesh

Haryali Festival

Timing & Significance

• Date: Celebrated on the 1st of Sawan (approx. 16th July).
• Significance: It marks the onset of the rainy season and is closely linked to agriculture and the well-being of livestock.

Common Rituals

• Sowing Ritual: A few days before the festival, seeds of five to seven kinds of grains are sown together in a small basket of earth by a family member near the household deities.
• Offerings: Stems from these grains are offered to the household deity and are also placed on the upper frame of the door.
• Farming Taboo: Farmers do not yoke oxen on this day (a day of rest for the animals).

Specific Regional Customs

• Kinnaur District:
  • People garland the village deity with wild flowers.
  • Dancing and singing are common practices during the festival.
• Lahaul Area:
  • ‘Sattu flour’ with butter on its mounds is offered to deities.
  • The offering is made to ‘Gephan’ or ‘Guru Ghantal’ by throwing the mixture into the air.

HPAS Notes: Festivals of Himachal Pradesh

Jagra Festival

• Nature of Rite: It is a rite offered to any village deity.
• Timing: Commemorated annually on the fourth day of the bright phase of the moon, generally in September. The main festival is held at night.
• Key Deity: Mahasu Devta is primarily worshipped during this festival.
• Regions: Celebrated in upper Shimla hills, Kinnaur, and Sirmaur regions.
• Activities:
  • Priests and followers sing religious songs in praise of the deity during the day.
  • ‘BIRSU’ Song: A specific song sung in praise of the Devta.
  • Singing and dancing are common features throughout the festival.

Phulech Festival (Festival of Flowers)

• Region: Celebrated only in the Kinnaur region.
• Timing: Held in the month of ‘Bhadon’ or in the beginning of ‘Asauj’.
• The Ritual:
  • People from every household proceed to the hill tops to collect flowers.
  • These flowers are offered to the village deity.
  • Afterwards, flower garlands are distributed among the people.

HPAS Notes: Festivals of Himachal Pradesh

Rakhi Festival

• Coverage: Celebrated all over Himachal Pradesh.
• Timing: Celebrated on the full moon in Shrawan.
• Ritual: Sisters tie a sacred thread around the wrist of their brothers to seek protection and affection. Brothers reciprocate with money, sweets, or gifts.

Chrewal Festival

Timing and Nature

• Alternate Name: Known as ‘Prithvi pooja’ (Earth Worship) in some places.
• Date: Celebrated on the first of ‘Bhadon’ (middle of August).
• Duration: This festival continues for a full one month.

Regional Variations

• Kullu Region: Known as ‘Bhadranjo’ (meaning the festival held in Bhadon).
• Chamba Region:
  • Known as ‘Pathroru’.
  • Nature: Here, it is celebrated as a festival of flowers.
  • It is an occasion of great celebration, particularly for girls who dance on this day.

HPAS Notes: Festivals of Himachal Pradesh

Sair Festival

• Region: Celebrated primarily in new Himachal areas.
• Timing: Held in the month of September.
• Significance: It is considered a ‘Bara-din’ (Big Day) by the hillmen.
• Celebration:
  • Rich food is prepared on the first day of the month.
  • People worship their local deity to ensure a prosperous future.

Jidjed and Guitor (Monastic Festivals)

• Nature: These are religious festivals associated with Buddhism.
• Timing: Celebrated in the month of October.

Locations & Nomenclature

While similar in nature, the festival is named differently based on the monastery:

• ‘Jidjed’: Takes place at the ‘Thang-gyud monastery’.
• ‘Guitor’: Held in the monasteries at ‘Kee’, ‘Tabo’, ‘Dankar’, and ‘Pin Spiti’ subdivision.

Main Attraction & Objective

• Key Feature: The main attraction is the ‘masked dance’ performed at the monasteries.
• Purpose: The objective of these rituals is:
  • To protect people from diseases and epidemics.
  • To ensure health, happiness, and all-round prosperity.

HPAS Notes: Festivals of Himachal Pradesh

Dussehra Festival

• Context: Celebrated differently in Himachal Pradesh compared to the plains.
• Timing: Month of September/October.
• Ritual: On ‘Dashmi’ (10th day), a bonfire of effigies (Ravana, Kumbhkarna, and Meghnatha) is made, symbolizing the victory of good over evil.
• Key Fact: The Dussehra of Kullu is famous all over the world.

Diwali Festival

• Local Names: Known locally as ‘Diali’ or ‘Bari Diali’.
• Timing: Generally October-November.

Regional Variations

1. Kullu Region

• People celebrate in a distinct way by singing the ‘Ramayana’ and ‘Mahabharata’ in their local dialect.
• Enactment: A mock fight between the gods and the demons is enacted.

2. Lahaul Region (Kaojala)

• Name: Called ‘Kaojala’ in Lahaul.
• Timing: Celebrated in the month of ‘Magha’ (Jan-Feb), unlike the rest of India.
• Rituals:
  • Villagers carry ‘Mashal’ (torches) and throw them at a specific spot.
  • Leaves of the ‘deodar tree’ are thrown into the fire.
  • Deities Invoked: Offerings are made in the name of ‘Gephan’ and ‘Bajreshwari Devi’.

HPAS Notes: Festivals of Himachal Pradesh

Lohri (Maghi / Saza)

• Nomenclature: In some areas of Himachal, it is called ‘Maghi’ or ‘Saza’.
• Timing: Celebrated on the 1st of Magh (mid-January).
• Significance:
  • It marks the continuation of the festival season after finishing agricultural activities.
  • It is a time for feasting and meeting relatives.
• Duration: The festival continues for eight days.
• The 8th Day: People gather to show social solidarity, with dance and music continuing for the whole night.

Lohri for the Girl Child

• Modern Trend: Recently, celebrating Lohri for the girl child (as a measure against female foeticide) has started in parts of Punjab and Himachal.
• Historical Precedence: However, Himachal has a much older tradition of this practice in the heritage village of Paragpur (Kangra district), dating back over three centuries.

Current Status

• Recognizing its historical and cultural significance, the government has given the Lohri festival in Paragpur the status of a State Festival.

HPAS Notes: Heritage of Paragpur

Heritage Status

• Notification Date: The state government classified Paragpur as a Heritage Zone through a notification issued on December 9, 1997.
• Scope:
  • The core area of Paragpur village is notified as a “Heritage Village”.
  • The nearby Garli village is notified as a “Heritage Zone”.
• Architectural Features: The village has retained its essence with:
  • Old shops.
  • Cobbled streets.
  • Ornamental village tanks.
  • Mud-plastered slate-roofed houses.

The Sood Community Connection

• Dominance: Members of the Sood community are the dominating population in the village.
• Historical Link to Shimla: At the time when Shimla was the summer capital of the British, the Sood community from Paragpur owned half of it. They are still a dominating community in Shimla.
• Annual Meet: The community organizes a meet every year in Paragpur village, where members from across the country participate to maintain a bond with their roots.

Lohri Festival at Paragpur

• Milestone Event: The first state-level Lohri festival was celebrated at Heritage Village Pragpur on 13 January 2010.

HPAS Notes: Festivals of Tribal Himachal

Gochi Festival

• Region: Organized in ‘Gumrang Kothi’ (Keylong) and adjoining areas.
• Timing: Falls sometime in January or February.
• Date Decision: The specific date is decided by the ‘Lamas’ based on their astrological calculations.
• Significance (Exam Key Fact): This festival is celebrated jointly by all families where a male child was born in the preceding year.

Lossar Festival

Scope and Timing

• Meaning: The festival signifies the beginning of a New Year (Tibetan New Year).
• Timing: Held in the last week of February.
• Coverage: Celebrated in the entire tribal belt of Himachal Pradesh and in Tibetan colonies at Manali, Shimla, Dharamshala, Solan, and Baijnath.

Rituals and Dances

• Yak Dance: A folk and religious dance performed in the courtyard of the Monastery on this festive occasion.
• Chhaam Dance: Various mask dances and dramas reminiscent of post-Buddhist culture are performed.
• Orchestra: Traditional orchestra accompanies the performances.
• Religious Ceremonies (Lahaul & Spiti):
  • Incantation of mantras.
  • Bell-ringing (drill).
  • Use of the ‘Do-rje’ (Thunderbolt symbol) is indispensable.